KNOXVILLE, TENN. - Pilot Travel Centers ranked 30th among the top 100 U.S. retailers in the July issue of STORES magazine, published by the National Retail Federation. Walmart ranked No. 1 and Saks was 100th.

"This achievement reflects the tremendous effort of our 13,500 team members spread across the country who dedicate their time and energy to achieve success everyday," said Pilot CEO James A. (Jimmy) Haslam III.

Haslam said that as a family business that began in 1958 with one gas station in Gate City, Virginia, Pilot has a remarkable, nearly 50-year history of growth, profitability and stability.

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot was founded by his father, James A. (Jim) Haslam II, who is chairman of the company. Pilot's revenues reached $11.8 billion in 2006. The company will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008.

In 2006, Pilot was recognized as the 10th largest restaurant franchisee in the United States. Pilot features Arby's, Wendy's, Subway, McDonald's and Taco Bell at its travel centers. In June 2007, Pilot installed the first fuel pump in East Tennessee that sells the environmentally friendly fuel Ethanol 85 (E85).

Pilot Travel Centers LLC is the largest operator of travel centers in the United States. The company operates 286 travel centers in 40 states and licenses 20 locations in Kansas, Montana and Nebraska. In September 2006, Pilot entered the international market opening a travel center in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. The company operates 46 locations in East Tennessee. In Knoxville alone, Pilot operates 32 locations that are convenient to neighborhoods and interstate travelers.